Railway car washing apparatus



March 13, 1934. Q L COFFEY 1,951,129

RAILWAY CAR WASHING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 27, 1930 a Sli'ets-Sheet 1 u 206/5752 62% l 22% W March 13, 1934. Q COFFEY 1,951,129

I RAILWAY CAR WASHING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 27, 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 13, 1934. Q COFFEY RAILWAY CAR WASHING APPARATUS Patented Mar. 13, 1934- Oscar lL. Coffey, Harvey, 1111., assignor to Whiting Corporation, Harvey, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application October 27,

3 Claims.

the mast so that it is free to swing laterally; and

(3) an elongated rotary brush which extends between and is supported by the distal ends of the frame-arms and is adapted to be brought into contact with the car-sides by swinging the frame towards the cars.

One object of the invention is to provide a car washing apparatus of this type in which the laterally swinging frame is constructed in a novel manner and the horizontally extending arms support the rotary brush so that it is free to tilt vertically to a limited extent in order to adapt itself to fit properly against car-sides which are slightly inclined. Another object of the invention is to provide a car washing apparatus of the aforementioned type in which the brush is rotated by means of an electric motor which is mounted on one of the arms of the frame and drives the brush through speed reducing gearing.

a fabricated unit and serves additionally to support a second horizontally swinging frame having a rotary brush for cleaning the windows of the cars.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a washing apparatus for railway cars which -is generally of new and improved construction, may be manufactured at a low and reasonable cost and is an improvement upon and more emcient in operation than previously designed apparatus for the same purpose.

Other objects of the invention and the various advantages and characteristics of the present construction will be apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description.

. The invention consists in the several novel features which are hereinafter set forth and are more particularly defined by claims at the conclusion hereof.

In the drawings which accompany and form a part of this specification or disclosure and in which like numerals of reference denote corresponding parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a car washing apparatus embodying the invention;

Figure 2 is an end view exhibiting in detail the manner in which the rotary brush is supported 1930, Serial No. 491,405

by the horizontally extending arms so that it is free to tilt vertically to a limited extent;

Figure 3 is an enlarged section taken on the line 3--3 of Figure 2 and showing the manner in which the lower horizontally extending arm of the frame is connected pivotally to the mast structure so that it is free to swing relatively to the upper arm and permit the brush to tilt verti' cally;

Figure l is a vertical sectional View of the pivotal connection between the lower end of the frame and the mast structure;

Figure 5 is an enlarged horizontal section taken on the line 55 of Figure 2;

Figure 6 is a perspective of the member which is associated with the laterally swinging frame and operates to restrict the vertical tilting of the brush by limiting swinging of the lower arm relatively to the upper arm; and

Figure 7 is a plan view of the apparatus.

The apparatus which forms the subject matter of the invention is adapted to be positioned at one side of a railroad track T and serves as hereinafter described to wash the sides of railway cars which are drawn over the track and past the apparatus. The track T comprises a pair of rails 7'; and is supported on a longitudinal series of ties if. The rails t are arranged in parallel relation and are illustrated in the drawings as supporting a railway car C. The washing apparatus comprises a mast structure 8. The latter is in the form of a fabricated unit and consists of a pair of vertically extending standards 9 and 10. The standard 9 is supported on a rectangular plate 11 and is composed of a channel beam 12 and an I-beam 13. The plate 11 is positioned a small distance from the track T and is bolted or otherwise secured to the subjacent supporting surface. The channel beam 12 has the lower end thereof welded to the plate 11 and is arranged so that the flanges thereof project rearwardly and the web extends longitudinally with respect to the track T. The E-beam 13 is positioned directly behind the channel beam 12 and is arranged so that it extends transversely with respect to the track T and one flange thereof abuts against the web of the channel beam. The lower end of the I-beam 13 is welded to: the plate 11 and is secured additionally to the plate by means of an angle bracket 14. The latter is welded to the top face of the plate 11 and to the rearmost flange of the I-beam. The channel beam 12 is connected to the I-beam 13 by means of rivets 15 which extend through the web of the channel beam and the contiguous flange of the I-beam. The standard 10 is supported on a rectangular plate 16 and is composed of a channel beam 17 and an I-beam 18. The plate 16 is spaced from the plate 11 and is bolted or otherwise secured to the subjacent supporting surface. The channel beam 1'? and the I-beam 18 are arranged and connected together similarly to the channel beam 12 and the I-beam l3 and have the lower ends thereof welded to the plate 16. An angle bracket 19 is welded to the top face of the plate 16 and to the rearmost flange of the I-beam 18 and serves further to connect the I-beam to the plate. An angle bar 20 extends between and connects the upper ends of the'standards 9 and 10. This bar comprises a vertically extending leg 2O and a horizontally extending leg 20 The vertically extending leg 22 fits against and is welded to the rearmost flanges of the I-beams 13 and 18. The horizontally extending leg 20* laps and is welded to the upper ends of the webs of the aforesaid I-beams, The standards 9 and 10 are held in rigid relation by a pair of braces 21. These braces extend diagonally and are connected at the ends thereof to the rearmost flanges of the I-beams. An advantage and characteristic of forming the standards 9 and 10 of channel and I-beams is that the mast structure may be fabricated readily and at a low cost.

In addition to the mast structure, the car washing apparatus comprises a vertically extending frame 22 and an elongated brush 23 which is carried by the frame. The brush 23 is substantially equal in height to the railway cars and operates as hereinafter described to effect a thorough and complete washing of the car-sides as the cars are drawn along the track T past the apparatus. The frame 22 is supported by the standard 9 of the mast structure and consists of a vertically extending pipe 24, an upper horizontally extending arm 25 and a lower horizontally extending arm 26. A vertically extending shaft 27 extends through the pipe 24 and has the ends thereof journalled in bearings 28 and 29 so as to form a support whereby the frame 22 is free to swing laterally to and from the track T. The bearing 28 is associated with the upper end of the shaft 27 and embodies a plate 30 whereby it is attached to the upper end of the web of the channel beam 12. The bearing 29 is associated with the lower end of the shaft 2'? and embodies an attaching plate 31. The latter is located directly beneath the plate 30 of the bearing 23 and is secured in any suit able manner to the lower end of the web of the channel beam 12. The horizontally extending arm 25 is preferably of channel construction and consists of a web 25 and depending flanges 25 One end of the arm 25 fits against the upper end of the pipe 24 and is welded to the pipe so that it is rigid therewith. The upper end of the shaft 27 extends through a circular aperture (not shown) in the web 25 of the arm 25 and is welded or otherwise rigidly connected to the web. The arm 25 is reinforced by means of a brace 25. This brace is formed of angle iron and extends diagonally between the central portion of the pipe 24 and the arm 25. The horizontally extending arm 26 underlies the arm 25. One end of the arm 26 is provided with a circular aperture 33 and is positioned between the bearing 29 and the lower end of the pipe 24. The lower end of the shaft 2'7 extends loosely through the aperture 33 so that the arm 26 is free to swing relatively to the shaft and the arm 25. The brush 23 extends vertically between the distal ends of the horizontally extending arms 25 and 26 of the laterally swinging frame 22 and embodies a central shaft 34. The lower end of this shaft is connected by a flexible coupling 35 to a stub shaft 36. The latter is journalled in a bearing 37 which holds the brush against downward displacement and is secured by a plate 38 to the distal end of the arm 26. The plate 38 is arranged so that the bearing 35 is located at one side of the arm 26. The upper end of the shaft 34 is adapted to be driven so as to rotate the brush and connected by a universal joint 39 to a stub shaft 46. The latter is journalled in a housing 41 which is mounted on the distal end of the horizontally extending arm 25. The brush 23 is shifted into engagement with the sides of the cars on the track T by swinging the frame 22 towards the track. By virtue of the fact that the arm 26 is free to swing relatively to the arm 25 the brush is free so as to tilt vertically in order to adapt itself to fit properly against car'- sides which are inclined. A characteristic and an advantage of supporting the brush so that it may be swung bodily to and from the cars and is free so as to tilt vertically is that the brush automatically adapts itself to properly against the car-sides when it is swung by the frame towards the track. Inasmuch as the ends of the shaft 34 are associated with the flexible coupling 35 and the universal joint 39, the shaft 34 is supported so that it is free to tilt vertically.

Swinging of the lower arm 26 relatively to the arm 25 is limited by means of an elongated member 42 so as to restrict the vertical tilt of the brush 23. The member 42 fits against and is welded to the lower end of the pipe 24 and is arranged so that it underlies the horizontally extending arm 25. The outer or distal end of the member 42 terminates adjacent the central portion of the arm 26. The inner end of the member 42 is provided with a circular aperture 43 through which extends the lower end of the shaft 27. The latter is welded or otherwise secured to the member 42 so that it is rigid therewith. A stop finger 44 is riveted to the central portion of the horizontally extending arm 26. This finger overlaps the distal end of the member 42 and cooperates with stop lugs 45 so as to limit the swinging mo ement of the arm 26 with respect to the frame 22. The lugs 45 are welded or otherwise secured to the side margins of the member 42 and project upwardly therefrom as indicated in Figure 6.

The brush 23 is driven for car washing purposes by means of an electric motor 46. This motor is mounted on the horizontally extending arm 25 and operates to drive speed reducing gearing in the housing 41. The speed reducing gearing comprises a worm wheel 47 which is mounted on one end of the rotor shaft of the electric motor and meshes with a worm gear 48 on the upper end of the stub shaft 40. When the mdtor 46 is actuated, speed reducing gearing in the housing 41 is operated and drives the shaft 34 through the medium of the stub shaft 46 and the universal joint 39. Drive of the shaft 34 results in rotation of the brush 23 and the desired washing of the sides of the cars as the cars are drawn past the washing apparatus. By virtue of the fact that the motor 46 and the speed reducing gearing are mounted on the arm 25, the construction as a Whole is simplified.

The frame 22 is urged towards the track T so as to swing the brush 23 into engagement with the adjacent car-side by means of a lever 49. This lever is located midway between the horizontal- 1y extending arms 25 and 26 and is pivotally connected at the central portion thereof to a pair of brackets 50. The latter are positioned at right angles with respect to the arm 25 and are welded to the central portion of the pipe 24. The'outer end of the lever 49is connected pivotally to a verextending arm 61. A diagonally extending angle the distal end of the arm 61 and encases speed 59 is urged or forced towards the tracks T so as tically extending bar 51. This bar is positioned in close proximity to the brush 23 and is pivotally connected at the ends thereof to the horizontally extending arms 25 and 26 so that it is free to tilt vertically in response to vertical tilting of the brush. The pivotal connection between the upper end of the bar 51 and the arm 25 consists of a pair of brackets 52 which are spaced apart and are welded or riveted to the web 25 The pivotal connection between the lower end of the bar 51 and the arm 26 consists of a pair of brackets 53. The latter are positioned between the plate 38 and the finger 44 and are welded or riveted to the arm 26. The inner end of the lever is connected pivotally to a rod 54. This rod extends rearwardly and is mounted slidably in a plate which projects laterally from and is secured to the web of the channel beam 12. The rear end of the rod 52 is provided with a nut 56. A coil spring 57 is mounted on the rear end of the rod and extends between the plate 55 and the nut 56. This spring is under tension and operates to force the rod 54 rearwardly and to swing the lever 49 together with the frame 22 towards the track T. In view of the fact that the spring 57 is under tension the brush 23 is held yieldably against the adjacent brush extends vertically and is carried by a frame 59 so that it may be swung bodily to and from the track T. The frame 59 is supported by the standard 10 of the mast structure and consists of a vertically extending pipe 60, an upper horizontally iron brace 61 and a lower horizontally extending arm 62. The arms 61 and 62 project radially from the pipe 59 and are welded or otherwise secured to the pipe so that the complete frame is rigid.

A shaft (not shown) similar to shaft 27 extends through the pipe and has the ends thereof journalled in bearings 64 and 65 so as to support the frame for pivotal or swinging movement towards and away from the track T. The bearings 64 and 65 are attached to the central portion of the web of the channel beam 17. The brush 58 embodies a shaft 66. This shaft extends vertically between the distal ends of the arms 61 and 62 and is adapted to be driven by an electric motor 67 so as to rotate the brush 58 for window washing purposes. The lower end of the shaft 66 is connected by a flexible coupling 68 to a stub shaft 69. The latter is journalled in a bearing 70 which is carried by a plate '71 at the end of the arm 62. The upper end of the shaft 66 is connected by a universal joint 72 to a vertically extending stub shaft 73. The latter is journalled in a housing 74 which is mounted on reducing gearing. The latter comprises a worm wheel '75 which is connected to one end of the rotor shaft of the motor 67 and meshes with a worm gear 76 on the stub shaft '73. The frame to swing the brush 58 into engagement with the windows of the adjacent car-side by means of a lever 77. The latter is similar in construction to the lever 49 and is connected pivotally at the central portion thereof to a pair of brackets 78 on the central portion of the pipe 60. The outer end of the lever 77 is connected pivotally to a vertically extending bar 79 which extends between 5 and is rigidly connected to the distal ends of the arms 61', 62. The inner end of the lever 77 is connected pivotally to a rod 80 which extends slidably through a plate 81 in the central portion of the channel beam 17 and is provided at the rear end thereof with a nut 82. A spring 83 is interposed between the nut and the plate 81 and operates to shift the rod rearwardly so as to cause the lever 77, together with the frame 60, to swing towards the track T.

Water for use in washing the car-sides is sprayed against the cars on the track by means of a pair of vertically extending pipes 84. The latter are located at the sides of the mast structure and are provided with a series of holes 85 for directing jets of water onto the car-sides.

The operation of the washing apparatus is as follows:

The cars to be washed are drawn along the track T so that they pass successively the brushes 23 and 58. As the cars pass the brushes, water is jetted against the car-sides by the vertically extending pipes 84. The brush 23 which is substantially the same in height as the cars, is swung towards the tracks T by means of coil spring 57 which operates as hereinbefore described through the medium of the lever 49 and the vertically extending bar 51. By virtue of the fact that the frame 22 is so constructed that the brush 23 is free to tilt vertically to a limited extent, the brush, when shifted by the frame against the adjoining car-side, fits accurately and properly against the car-side regardless of whether the car is inclined towards or away from the mast structure. The brush 23 is rotated by the electric motor 46 and operates as the cars are drawn past the mast structure to wash completely and thoroughly the adjoining car-sides. During operation of the brush 23, the brush 58 is rotated by the electric motor 67 and serves to wash the car windows. The brush 58 is held III in engagement with the windows by virtue of the fact that it is mounted on the laterally swinging frame 59 and is urged towards the track T by the action of the spring 83.

If desired, a second washing apparatus may be mounted at the other side of the track T so as to effect a washing of the opposite sides of the cars.

The herein disclosed washing apparatus consists of a comparatively small number of parts 12 and may be manufactured at, a low cost. In view of the fact that the brush for washing the car-sides is free to tilt vertically, the brush automatically assumes the proper position with respect to the car-sides when it is shifted by 180 the frame 22 towards the track T.

The invention is not to be understood as restricted to the details set forth, since these may be modified within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit and 185 scope of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a car washing apparatus of the character described, the combination of a supporting structure, a vertically extending rotary brush adapted to operate against one side of the car,

a vertically extending frame supported by the structure and comprising a pair of horizontally extending, vertically spaced arms between which the brush extends and by which said brush is carried, said arms being pivoted to swing horizontally one relatively to the other so that the brush may be swung bodily into and out of engagement with the car and is free to tilt vertically in order to fit properly against said carside, means for limiting the relative swinging movement of the arms so as to restrict tilting of the brush, and means associated with the frame for driving the brush for car washing purposes.

2. In a car washing apparatus of the character described, the combination of a supporting structure, a vertically extending rotary brush adapted to operate against one side of the car, a frame comprising a vertically extending, rotatable shaft, a member projecting radially from and connected fixedly to one end of the shaft, and a pair of horizontally extending vertically spaced arms between which the brush extends and by which the brush is carried, one of said arms being connected fixedly to the other end of the shaft and the other arm being pivoted to the member so that it may be swung horizontally relatively to the said one arm and the brush is carried in such a manner that it may be swung bodily into and out of engagement with the car and is free to tilt vertically in order to fit prop- 25 to the one arm comprising a stop-element extending between the member and said other arm, and means associated with the frame for driving the brush for car washing purposes.

3. In a car washing apparatus of the character described, the combination of a supporting structure, a vertically extending rotary brush adapted to operate against one side of the car and embodying a central shaft, a vertically extending frame comprising a pair of horizontally extending, vertically spaced arms between which the brush extends and by which the brush is carried, said arms being pivoted to swing horizontally one relatively to the other so that the brush may be swung bodily into and out of engagement with the car and is free to tilt vertically in order to fit properly against said car-side, means for limiting relative swinging movement or" the arms so as to restrict tilting of the brush, and means for driving the brush for car washing purposes embodying an electric motor mounted on one of the arms and a universal joint between the motor and one end of the brush-shaft to permit of tilting of the brush.

OSCAR L. COFFEY.

lot 

